The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is delighted to bring back the CENTER Stage Awards & Gala live in-person since 2019. This year’s gala will be held on Thursday, June 29, 2023, as a fundraiser for the Washington Center and an opportunity to celebrate local artists and supporters of the arts.
The CENTER Stage Awards & Gala will be a progressive evening of music, celebration, and philanthropy. The Awards & Gala will include dinner, drinks, awards ceremony, and auction at the Olympia Ballroom, progressing to the Washington Center for a live performance of Marshall Charloff & The Purple Xperience, the world’s premier tribute to PRINCE.
As seen touring globally for over a decade, starring in a Las Vegas residency, headlining Red Rocks Amphitheater, fronting the world’s finest symphonies, and featured on albums with Prince, Marshall has dominated the world stage as the most authentic Prince tribute artist. Jill Barnes, Executive Director, says, “My colleagues at venues around the country are raving about this performance. It will be an evening of tribute to an American musical legend, and an opportunity to support our mission and the power of the arts.”
During the gala, the Excellence in the Arts awards will recognize the individuals and organizations whose work, support, and involvement help build a vibrant cultural community in the greater South Sound region. “We have such a depth of arts in our community, and we’re proud to be able to recognize and feature local performing artists during the gala. It’s an eye-opening display of how vast the cultural talent is here, and an opportunity for them to gain new audiences and appreciation.” Nominations will be open until 11:59pm PST April 9, 2023 and can be submitted online.
Registration to the awards & gala portion of the evening, which begins at 5:00PM at the Olympia Ballroom are $195/seat or $1,500 table of 8. All gala registrations include premium-seating at the performance. Tickets to PURPLE XPERIENCE WITH MARSHALL CHARLOFF performance only, which begins at 7:30PM range from $25-$65. Both can be purchased online at www.washingtoncenter.org/gala.
The Washington Center opened in 1985 from the belief that a regional performing arts center is fundamental to the cultural pursuits of our community and vital to a better quality of life. Barnes says, “This belief remains at the foundation of our existence today and is evident with every child that performs on the stage or witnesses the magic of theater.” Over 200 events take place at the Washington Center each year, from local arts and youth organizations to international touring companies.